Set-Top Box with Enhanced Behavioral Controls and System and Method for Use of Same

ABSTRACT

A set-top box with enhanced behavioral controls and system and method for use of the same are disclosed. In one embodiment of the set-top box, a wireless transceiver is located within a housing, which also interconnectedly includes a television input, a television output, a processor, and memory. The set-top box may pair with an electronic door locking apparatus coupled to a door that is room-collocated with the set-top box in a hospitality establishment. The set-top box may then receive a status signal from the electronic door locking apparatus relative to the open/closed status of the door and locked/unlocked status of the door.

PRIORITY STATEMENT & CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of co-pending U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 16/545,103 entitled “Set-Top Box with Enhanced BehavioralControls and System and Method for Use of Same” filed on Aug. 20, 2019,in the names of Thomas R. Miller et al., now U.S. Pat. No. 10,701,436,issued on Jun. 30, 2020; which is a continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 15/969,001 entitled “Set-Top Box with EnhancedBehavioral Controls and System and Method for Use of Same” filed on May2, 2018, in the names of Thomas R. Miller et al., now U.S. Pat. No.10,390,079, issued on Aug. 20, 2019; which claims priority from U.S.patent application Ser. No. 62/500,015 entitled “Set-Top Box withEnhanced Behavioral Controls and System and Method for Use of Same”filed on May 2, 2017, in the name of Vanessa Ogle; all of which arehereby incorporated, in entirety, by reference for all purposes.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates, in general, to set-top boxes and, in particular,to set-top boxes with enhanced behavior controls and systems and methodsfor use of the same that address the work and function of lockingsystems within a room in a hospitality establishment, for example.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Without limiting the scope of the present invention, the background willbe described in relation to locking systems in the hospitality lodgingindustry, as an example. Known locking systems include a mechanical lockrequiring a physical key inserted into the lock in order to open thelock for access. More advanced known locking systems include magneticaccess cards and radio frequency identification (RFID) access cards;both of which use various encoding schemes and contact or proximity inorder to open the lock for access. Consumers and particularly hotelguests are demanding enhanced capabilities in ever increasinglyeasy-to-use platforms. As a result of such consumer and hotel guestpreferences, the locking systems must address issues of convenience inaddition to traditional problems of misplacement and security.Accordingly, there is a need for improved systems and methods for use ofthe same that address the work and function of locking systems within aroom in a hospitality establishment, for example.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It would be advantageous to achieve a set-top box that would improveupon existing limitations in functionality with respect to lockingsystems. It would also be desirable to enable a computer-basedelectronics and software solution that would provide enhanced behavioralcontrols in an easy-to-use platform in the hospitality lodging industryor in another environment. To better address one or more of theseconcerns, a set-top box with enhanced behavioral controls and system andmethod for use of the same are disclosed. In one embodiment of theset-top box, a wireless transceiver is associated with a housing, whichalso interconnectedly includes a television input, a television output,a processor, and memory.

The set-top box may pair with an electronic door locking apparatuscoupled to a door that is room-collocated with the set-top box in ahospitality establishment. The set-top box may then receive a statussignal from the electronic door locking apparatus relative to theopen/closed status of the door or locked/unlocked status of the door,for example. In another aspect, the set-top box may forward the statussignal to a display associated with the set-top box or forward thestatus signal to a server, which may be located remotely.

In a further aspect, the set-top box may identify a proximatewireless-enabled interactive device and responsive to identifying theproximate wireless-enabled interactive device, receive guest controlinstructions regarding control functionality input to control theelectronic door apparatus and send a command to the electronic doorapparatus. In a further aspect, the set-top box may receive controlfunctionality input instructions to control the electronic doorapparatus from a remote server and process these instructions and send acommand to the electronic door apparatus. Further, the set-top box incombination with the remote server may evaluate access keycard data anddetermine access rights at the electronic door apparatus responsivethereto. These and other aspects of the invention will be apparent fromand elucidated with reference to the embodiments described hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the features and advantages of thepresent invention, reference is now made to the detailed description ofthe invention along with the accompanying figures in which correspondingnumerals in the different figures refer to corresponding parts and inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram depicting one embodiment of a system forproviding a set-top box having enhanced behavioral controls thereinaccording to the teachings presented herein;

FIG. 2A is a schematic diagram depicting one embodiment of the system ofFIG. 1 within an on-property deployment;

FIG. 2B is a schematic diagram depicting one embodiment of the system ofFIG. 1 within a cloud-computing deployment;

FIG. 3A is a wall-facing exterior elevation view of one embodiment ofthe set-top box depicted in FIG. 1 in further detail;

FIG. 3B is a television-facing exterior elevation view of the set-topbox depicted in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3C is a front perspective view of a dongle depicted in FIG. 1 infurther detail;

FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram depicting one embodiment of theset-top box presented in FIGS. 3A and 3B;

FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram depicting one embodiment of aserver presented in FIGS. 2A and 2B;

FIG. 6 is a schematic block diagram of one embodiment of a door and doorlocking apparatus depicted in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 7 is a flow chart depicting one embodiment of a method forproviding a set-top box having enhanced behavioral controls according tothe teachings presented herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

While the making and using of various embodiments of the presentinvention are discussed in detail below, it should be appreciated thatthe present invention provides many applicable inventive concepts, whichcan be embodied in a wide variety of specific contexts. The specificembodiments discussed herein are merely illustrative of specific ways tomake and use the invention, and do not delimit the scope of the presentinvention.

Referring initially to FIG. 1, therein is depicted one embodiment of asystem 10 utilizing a set-top box 12 with enhanced behavioral controlsbeing employed within a hospitality lodging establishment. Thehospitality lodging establishment or, more generally, hospitalityproperty, may be a furnished multi-family residence, dormitory, lodgingestablishment, hotel, hospital, or other multi-unit environment. Asshown, by way of example and not by way of limitation, the hospitalityenvironment is depicted as a hotel H having various rooms, includingroom R, and spaces, which may be common spaces. The set-top box 12includes a housing 14 and is communicatively disposed with variousamenities associated with the hospitality environment, including adisplay 16. Set-top boxes, like the set-top box 12, may be deployedthroughout the rooms and spaces of the hotel H.

As shown, in one embodiment, within a room R or space, such as a lobby,elevator foyer, or other common space, for example, the system 10includes the set-top box 12 and the display 16, which is illustrated asa television having a screen with a message 18. It should be appreciatedhowever, that the display 16 may also be any electronic visual displaydevice, for example. A connection, which is depicted as an HDMIconnection 20, connects the set-top box 12 to the display 16. Otherconnections include a power cable 22 coupling the set-top box 12 to apower source, a coaxial cable 24 coupling the set-top box 12 to anexternal cable source, and a category five (Cat 5) cable 26 coupling theset-top box 12 to an external pay-per-view source at a hotel or otherlodging establishment, for example. As shown, the set-top box 12 mayinclude a dongle 30 providing particular technology and functionalityextensions thereto. That is, the set-top box 12 may be set-topbox-dongle combination in one embodiment. More generally, it should beappreciated that the cabling connected to the set-top box 12 will dependon the environment and application, and the cabling connectionspresented in FIG. 1 are depicted for illustrative purposes. Further, itshould be appreciated that the positioning of the set-top box 12 willvary depending on environment and application and, with certainfunctionality, the set-top box 12 may be placed more discretely behindthe display 16.

A proximate wireless-enabled interactive programmable device 32 may be adevice, including handheld devices, that may be supplied or carried bythe guest G and may be selected from a range of existing devices, suchas, iPads®, iPhones®, iPod Touch®, Android® devices, Blackberry®devices, personal computers, laptops, tablet computers, smart phones,and smart watches, for example. In one implementation, advertisingbroadcast data originating from the set-top box 12 or the proximatewireless-enabled interactive programmable device 32 may be utilized toidentify the proximate wireless-enabled interactive programmable device32. Moreover, as will also be discussed in further detail hereinbelow,in another implementation, an application installed from a serverenables the set-top box 12 and the proximate wireless-enabledinteractive programmable device 32 to be wirelessly paired. In anotherembodiment, a challenge-response is utilized to wirelessly pair theset-top box 12 and the proximate wireless-enabled interactiveprogrammable device 32.

As shown, an interactive portal P is displayed on the display 16, whichdisplays a general welcome for the hospitality lodging establishment. Inone implementation, as illustrated, the set-top box 12 extends aphysical authorization interface, shown as area A, from the set-top boxto an area easily accessible to a guest's convenience within the room R.This physical authorization interface A may include a short rangewireless data connection that is enabled only when very close physicallyto the proximate wireless-enabled interactive programmable device 32,for example.

The set-top box 12 may pair with an electronic door locking apparatus 34coupled to a door 36 that is room-collocated with the set-top box 12 inthe room R of the hospitality establishment. As shown, the door 36includes a handle 38 with an electronic reader 40 and an indicator 42that indicates “Do Not Disturb.” The set-top box 12 may then receive astatus signal from the electronic door locking apparatus 34 relative tothe open/closed status of the door 36 or locked/unlocked status of thedoor 36, for example. In another aspect, the set-top box 12 may forwardthe status signal to the display 16 associated with the set-top box 12or forward the status signal to a server, such as a server 44 discussedin FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B. As shown, the set-top box 12 has received thestatus signal from the electronic door locking apparatus 34 that thedoor 36 is locked with the indicator 42 is indicating “Do Not Disturb.”This status may be shown on the display 16 at the message 18, which maybe selectively and controllably actuatable.

The set-top box 12 may utilize a search operation, for example, toidentify the proximate wireless-enabled interactive device 32 andresponsive to identifying the proximate wireless-enabled interactiveprogrammable device 32, receive guest control instructions regardingcontrol functionality input and send a command to the electronic doorapparatus 34. The guest control instructions may be a wirelesstransmission W. In another embodiment, the set-top box may receivecontrol functionality input instructions from a remote server, such asthe server 44 of FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B, and process these instructions andsend a command to the electronic door apparatus 34. Further, the set-topbox 12 in combination with the remote server, such as the server 44 ofFIG. 2A and FIG. 2B, may evaluate access keycard data and determineaccess rights at the electronic door apparatus 34 responsive thereto.

It should be appreciated that the server 44 may be located on a singleproperty to serve one or more televisions thereon. Further, it should beappreciated that the server 44 may be remotely located to serve multipleproperties having multiple televisions. Referring now to FIG. 2A, thesystem 10 may be deployed such that the server 44 is co-located on theproperty P-1 with the displays 16-1 . . . 16-n and the correspondingset-top boxes 12-1 . . . 12-n, and doors 36-1 . . . 36-n, with, in oneembodiment, content sources 46 configured to provide sources of content.As shown, the server 44 includes a housing 45 having a television outputand other components therein. As previously alluded, the server 44 maystore the access keycard data for access by the set-top box 12 or,alternatively, for downloading prior to use by the set-top box 12.

Referring to FIG. 2B, the system 10 may be deployed such that the server44 is located remotely within cloud C relative to displays 16-1 . . .16-n, which are located at properties P-1 through P-n. In particular,the server 44, which receives content from content sources 46, may belocated remotely relative to the displays 16-1 . . . 16-n and anyset-top boxes 12-1 . . . 12-n with the doors 36-1 . . . 36-n such that aproperty headend 48-1 . . . 48-n is interposed between the server 44 andthe displays 16-1 . . . 16-n. As shown, in this implementation, theproperty headend 48-1 . . . 48-n is co-located with the displays 16-1 .. . 16-n at a respective property, P-1 through P-n.

Referring to FIG. 3A, FIG. 3B, FIG. 3C, and FIG. 4, as used herein,set-top boxes, back boxes and set-top/back boxes may be discussed asset-top boxes. By way of example, the set-top box 12 may be a set-topunit that is an information appliance device that generally containsset-top box functionality including having a television-tuner input anddisplays output through a connection to a display or television set andan external source of signal, turning by way of tuning the source signalinto content in a form that can then be displayed on the televisionscreen or other display device. Such set-top boxes are used in cabletelevision, satellite television, and over-the-air television systems,for example.

The set-top box 12 includes a housing 14 with a cover 50 and a rear wall52, front wall 54, top wall 56, bottom base 58, and two sidewalls 60,62. It should be appreciated that front wall, rear wall, and side wallare relative terms used for descriptive purposes and the orientation andthe nomenclature of the walls may vary depending on application. Thefront wall includes various ports, ports 64, 66, 68, 70, 72, 74, 76, 78,and 80 that provide interfaces for various interfaces, including inputsand outputs. In one implementation, as illustrated, the ports 64 through80 include inputs 82 and outputs 84 and, more particularly, an RF input86, a RJ-45 input 88, universal serial bus (USB) input/outputs 90, anEthernet category 5 (Cat 5) coupling 92, an internal reset 94, an RS232control 96, an audio out 98, an audio in 100, and a debug/maintenanceport 102. The front wall 54 also includes various inputs 82 and outputs84. More particularly, ports 110, 112, 114, and 116 include a 5V dcpower connection 120, USB inputs/outputs 122, an RJ-45 coupling 124, andan HDMI port 126. It should be appreciated that the configuration ofports may vary with the set-top box depending on application andcontext. As previously alluded to, the housing 14 may include ahousing-dongle combination including, with respect to the dongle 30, aunit 130 having a cable 134 with a set-top box connector 132 forselectively coupling with the set-top box 12.

Within the housing 14, a processor 140, memory 142, storage 144, theinputs 82, and the outputs 84 are interconnected by a bus architecture146 within a mounting architecture. It should be understood that theprocessor 140, memory 142, storage 144, the inputs 82, and the outputs84 may be entirely contained within the housing 14 or the housing-donglecombination. The processor 140 may process instructions for executionwithin the computing device, including instructions stored in the memory142 or in storage 144. The memory 142 stores information within thecomputing device. In one implementation, the memory 142 is a volatilememory unit or units. In another implementation, the memory 142 is anon-volatile memory unit or units. Storage 144 provides capacity that iscapable of providing mass storage for the set-top box 12. Various inputs82 and outputs 84 provide connections to and from the computing device,wherein the inputs 82 are the signals or data received by the set-topbox 12, and the outputs 84 are the signals or data sent from the set-topbox 12.

A television content signal input 148 and a television output 150 arealso secured in the housing 14 in order to receive content from a sourcein the hospitality property and forward the content, including externalcontent such as cable and satellite and pay-per-view (PPV) programming,to the television located within the hotel room.

A transceiver 152 is associated with the set-top box 12 andcommunicatively disposed with the bus 146. As shown the transceiver 152may be internal, external, or a combination thereof to the housing.Further, the transceiver 152 may be a transmitter/receiver, receiver, oran antenna for example. Communication between various amenities in thehotel room and the set-top box 12 may be enabled by a variety ofwireless methodologies employed by the transceiver 152, including802.11, 3G, 4G, Edge, WiFi, ZigBee, near field communications (NFC),Bluetooth low energy and Bluetooth, for example. Also, infrared (IR) maybe utilized.

The memory 142 and storage 144 are accessible to the processor 140 andinclude processor-executable instructions that, when executed, cause theprocessor 140 to execute a series of operations. Theprocessor-executable instructions cause the processor to forward a fullytuned signal to the display. Further, the instructions may cause theprocessor to pair with an electronic door locking apparatus coupled to adoor. The processor-executable instructions may cause the processor toreceive a status signal from the electronic door locking apparatus. Inone implementation, the status signal may be relative to the open/closedstatus of the door or locked/unlocked status of the door, for example.By way of further example, the status signal may relate to the “Do NotDisturb” status of the door or a power state of the electronic doorapparatus.

In one implementation, the processor-executable instructions may furtherinclude instructions that, when executed, cause the processor to forwarda fully tuned signal to the display including a status indicator basedon the received status signal. Alternatively or in addition, theprocessor-executable instructions may cause the processor to forward astatus indicator based on the received status signal to a remote server,such as the server 44 of FIGS. 2A and 2B.

In another implementation, the processor-executable instructions mayfurther include instructions that, when executed, cause the processor tospecify a search operation to identify a proximate wireless-enabledinteractive programmable device. The search operation may utilize thewireless transceiver to wirelessly identify the proximatewireless-enabled interactive programmable device. By way of example,with respect to the search operation, the processor-executableinstructions may specify a search operation to identify the proximatewireless-enabled interactive programmable device by receivingadvertising broadcast data from the proximate wireless-enabledinteractive programmable device via the wireless transceiver using, forexample, a Bluetooth low energy standard, wherein the search operationutilizes the wireless transceiver to wirelessly identify the proximatewireless-enabled interactive programmable device. Alternatively, theprocessor-executable instructions, when executed, cause the processor tospecify a search operation to identify the proximate wireless-enabledinteractive device by transmitting advertising broadcast data via thewireless transceiver using, for example, a Bluetooth low energystandard, wherein the search operation utilizes the wireless transceiverto wirelessly identify the proximate wireless-enabled interactiveprogrammable device.

The processor-executable instructions may further include instructionsthat establish a pairing between the proximate wireless-enabledinteractive programmable device and the set-top box. Theprocessor-executable instructions may then cause the processor to sendformatted parallel audiovisual experience instructions to the proximatewireless-enabled interactive programmable device. In one implementation,the formatted parallel audiovisual experience instructions may beconfigured to provide a downstream parallel experience related to thecontent on the television.

The processor-executable instructions may still further includeinstructions that provide for virtual buttons on a touch screen displayassociated with the proximate wireless-enabled interactive programmabledevice. The virtual buttons are associated with the proximatewireless-enabled interactive programmable device. Instructions may thencause the processor to receive and process virtual remote controlfunctionality input instructions to control the electronic door lockingapparatus from the proximate wireless-enabled interactive programmabledevice and evaluate the functionality input instructions to assign ameaning. Following the evaluation, the processor-executable instructionsmay generate a command signal and send the command signal to theelectronic door locking apparatus to effect the command. By way ofexample and not by way of limitation, the command signal may relate tocausing the electronic door locking apparatus to unlock the door oralternate the do not disturb status.

In one embodiment, the processor-executable instructions may furtherinclude instructions that, when executed, cause the processor to receiveand process server control functionality input instructions to controlthe electronic door locking apparatus from a remote server, evaluate thefunctionality input instructions to assign a meaning, generate a commandsignal, and send the command signal to the electronic door lockingapparatus. The command signal may relate to re-programming theelectronic door locking apparatus or maintaining access beyond data, forexample. In another embodiment, the processor-executable instructionsmay further include instructions that, when executed, cause theprocessor to receive and process keycard data from the electronic doorlocking apparatus, evaluate the keycard data to determine access rights,generate a command signal relative to the access rights, and send thecommand signal to the electronic door locking apparatus.

Referring now to FIG. 5, one embodiment of the server 44 as a computingdevice includes a processor 160, memory 162, storage 164, inputs 166,and outputs 168 interconnected with various buses 170 in a common ordistributed, for example, mounting architecture. In otherimplementations, in the computing device, multiple processors and/ormultiple buses may be used, as appropriate, along with multiple memoriesand types of memory. Further still, in other implementations, multiplecomputing devices may be provided and operations distributedtherebetween. The processor 160 may process instructions for executionwithin the server 40, including instructions stored in the memory 162 orin storage 164. The memory 162 stores information within the computingdevice. In one implementation, the memory 162 is a volatile memory unitor units. In another implementation, the memory 162 is a non-volatilememory unit or units. Storage 164 includes capacity that is capable ofproviding mass storage for the server 44. Various inputs 166 and outputs168 provide connections to and from the server 40, wherein the inputs166 are the signals or data received by the server 44, and the outputs168 are the signals or data sent from the server 44.

The memory 162 is accessible to the processor 160 and includesprocessor-executable instructions that, when executed, cause theprocessor 160 to execute a series of operations. Theprocessor-executable instructions cause the processor to updateperiodically or on-demand, depending on the operational configuration, adatabase or update portion thereof, with current access keycard datarelative to the electronic door locking apparatuses to one or more ofthe set-top boxes directly or through a property headend.

The processor-executable instructions may also generate a command signaland send the command signal to the electronic door locking apparatus viathe set-top box. By way of example and not by way of limitation, thecommand signal may relate to causing the electronic door lockingapparatus to unlock the door or alternate the do not disturb status.Further, in one embodiment, the command signal may be multiple signalsthat relate to reprogramming one or more of the electronic door lockingapparatuses via the set-top boxes, for example. Additionally, similar tothe display, the server 44 may receive various status signals and haveprocessor-executable instructions relative thereto.

Thus, the systems and methods disclosed herein enable set-top boxes tohave enhanced behavior controls that control electronic door lockingapparatuses. Further, the systems and methods disclosed herein mayenable users to use existing electronic devices as a temporary remotecontrol device to control an electronic door locking apparatus via aset-top box. Additionally, the status of the electronic door lockingapparatuses may be discerned. Therefore, the systems and methodspresented herein avoid the need for additional or expensive highfunctionality remote controls.

Referring now to FIG. 6, one embodiment of the door locking apparatus 34is depicted. As shown, the door locking apparatus 34 may be mountedadjacent the door 36 or on the door 36 or in another suitable location.The door locking apparatus 34 may be an integral unit that is easilymounted at each door site and may include several components. Thecomponents of the door locking apparatus 34 may include a controller 202coupled to a transceiver 204 and a display driver 206, which is coupledto the display 42. Additionally, the electronic reader 40 is supportedby an entry card reader module 208. A power source 210 supplies power tothe door locking apparatus and may include battery power or a wiredelectrical interface connection, for example, to a 120V source. A doorlock actuator 212 is coupled to the controller 202 and locks/unlocks thedoor 36.

The electronic reader 40 and the entry card reader module 208 performthe task of reading the entry card as a door key and delivering the cardidentity information to the controller 202. It should be appreciatedthat the electronic reader 40 and the entry card reader module 208 maybe equipped to work with either magnetic strip cards, radio-frequencyidentification (RFID) cards, or wireless interactive programmabledevices, for example. Further, the entry cards 220, including entrycards 220-1, 220-2, . . . 220-n, and the electronic door lockingapparatus 34 may utilize key identification locking wherein the systemis programmed to accept multiple identifications, for example a masteridentification for staff and various guest identifications. Other keyidentification locking schemes that may be utilized include sequenceidentification where a newer sequence identification will inform theelectronic door locking apparatus 34 to stop accepting an older sequenceidentification, expiration date based key identification locking, orcheck-in date-based key identification locking, for example.

The controller 202 is electronically connected to receive informationfrom the entry card reader module 208 and compare information withcurrent access keycard data relative to the electronic door lockingapparatus 34 stored at the controller 202 or the set-top box 12 via theuse of the transceiver 204. The electronic door locking apparatusgenerates a lock actuation signal, which is sent to lock actuator 212,when it determines that an entry card, such as entry card 220-1 beingread at the electronic reader 40 matches an approved card. Thecontroller 202 may include an associated memory for storing informationreceived from the set-top box 12, allowing all such stored informationto be continually available. While it is necessary to have a localcontroller 202 which has memory and processing capability as describedherein, it should be appreciated that a portion or all of the processingtasks of the controller 202 may be performed by the set-top box 12 orthe set-top box 12 in combination with the server 44.

In operation, the controller 202 may send status signals to the set-topbox 12 via the aforementioned pairing relative to the power status, suchas low battery or power source good or power source needs maintenance,or the status of the door such as being open/closed or locked/unlocked.The status signals may also indicate which entry cards are utilized andattempted to be utilized to gain entry to the door 36. The status signalmay also relate to the status of the “Do Not Disturb” indication, whichmay be electronically shown on the display 16. In addition to sendingstatus signals, the electronic door locking apparatus 34 may receivecommands from the set-top box 12 or the server 44 via the set-top box 12or a guest via the set-top box 12, for example. Such commands may relateto unlocking the door, changing the “Do Not Disturb” status, orreprogramming the keycard data relative to an access keycard database.

FIG. 7 depicts one embodiment of a method for providing enhancedcontent, according to the teachings presented herein. The methodologystarts at block 252 where a pairing may be established between theset-top box and electronic locking apparatus, which is room co-locatedwith the set-top box. At decision block 254, the methodology may providestatus information, guest control, or server-based interaction. Withrespect to status information, the methodology advances to block 256where the set-top box receives a status signal from the electronic doorlocking apparatus 34. The status signal may relate to the open/closedstatus of the door, locked/unlocked status of the door, a “Do NotDisturb” status of the door, a power state of the electronic doorlocking apparatus, or the successful/unsuccessful use of a keycard atthe electronic door locking apparatus. At decision block 258, the statussignal may or may not be forwarded to the display or server. If thestatus signal is forwarded to the display, then the methodology advancesto block 260 where the status signal is forwarded to the display fordisplaying. If the status signal is not to be forwarded, then themethodology ends at block 262. On the other hand, if the status signalis to be forwarded to the server, then the methodology advances to block264 where the status signal is forwarded to the server for receipt andprocessing.

Returning to decision block 254, with respect to guest control, at block266, the set-top box may be paired with a proximate wireless-enabledinteractive programmable device and then at block 268, the set-top boxmay receive and process in-room remote control functionality inputinstructions from the proximate wireless-enabled interactiveprogrammable device. At block 270, the in-room remote controlfunctionality input instructions are evaluated and at block 272 acommand signal is generated at the set-top box prior to being sent atblock 274. The in-room remote control functionality input instructionsand related command signal may relate to relate to requesting a status,unlocking the door, or changing a “Do Not Disturb” status of the door,for example.

Returning to decision block 254, with respect to server-basedinteraction, the methodology advances to decision block 276 where theset-top box and server may perform, in one implementation control orvalidation operations. With respect to control, at block 278, theset-top box may receive and process server remote control functionalityinput instructions from the proximate wireless-enabled interactiveprogrammable device. At block 280, the server remote controlfunctionality input instructions are evaluated and at block 282 acommand signal is generated at the set-top box prior to being sent atblock 284. The server remote control functionality input instructionsand related command signal may relate to relate to requesting a statusof the electronic door locking apparatus, unlocking the door, changing a“Do Not Disturb” status of the door, or re-programming the keycard datarelative to an access keycard database stored at the set-top box orelectronic door locking apparatus, for example.

Returning to decision block 276, with respect to validation, advancingto block 286 the set-top box may receive and process keycard data fromthe electronic door locking apparatus to determine access rightsassociated with the keycard. At block 288, in one embodiment, the accesskeycard database associated with the set-top box or the server ischecked so that at block 290, the keycard data may be evaluated. Atblock 292, a command signal is generated relative to the access rights,e.g, permission granted to open the door, no permission to open thedoor. At block 294, the command signal is sent from the set-top box tothe electronic door locking apparatus.

The order of execution or performance of the methods and data flowsillustrated and described herein is not essential, unless otherwisespecified. That is, elements of the methods and data flows may beperformed in any order, unless otherwise specified, and that the methodsmay include more or less elements than those disclosed herein. Forexample, it is contemplated that executing or performing a particularelement before, contemporaneously with, or after another element are allpossible sequences of execution.

While this invention has been described with reference to illustrativeembodiments, this description is not intended to be construed in alimiting sense. Various modifications and combinations of theillustrative embodiments as well as other embodiments of the invention,will be apparent to persons skilled in the art upon reference to thedescription. It is, therefore, intended that the appended claimsencompass any such modifications or embodiments.

What is claimed is:
 1. A set-top box comprising: a housing securing atelevision input, a television output, a processor, memory, and storagetherein; a busing architecture communicatively interconnecting thetelevision input, the television output, the processor, the memory, andthe storage; a wireless transceiver associated with the housing andcoupled to the busing architecture, the wireless transceiver operable tocommunicate with a proximate wireless-enabled interactive programmabledevice; the television input configured to receive a source signal froman external source; the television output configured to forward a fullytuned signal to a display; and the memory accessible to the processor,the memory including processor-executable instructions that, whenexecuted, cause the processor to: pair with an electronic door lockingapparatus coupled to a door, the electronic door locking apparatus beingroom-collocated with the set-top box, and receive a status signal fromthe electronic door locking apparatus, the status signal being relativeto a locked/unlocked status of the door.
 2. The set-top box as recitedin claim 1, wherein the status signal is further relative to a do notdisturb status of the door.
 3. The set-top box as recited in claim 1,wherein the status signal is further relative to a power state of theelectronic door locking apparatus.
 4. The set-top box as recited inclaim 1, wherein the processor-executable instructions further compriseinstructions that, when executed, cause the processor to forward a fullytuned signal to the display including a status indicator based on thereceived status signal.
 5. The set-top box as recited in claim 1,wherein the processor-executable instructions further compriseinstructions that, when executed, cause the processor to forward astatus indicator based on the received status signal to a remote server.6. The set-top box as recited in claim 1, wherein theprocessor-executable instructions further comprise instructions that,when executed, cause the processor to: specify a search operation toidentify a proximate wireless-enabled interactive programmable device,wherein the search operation utilizes the wireless transceiver towirelessly identify the proximate wireless-enabled interactiveprogrammable device; establish a pairing between the proximatewireless-enabled interactive programmable device and the set-top box;send formatted parallel audiovisual experience instructions to theproximate wireless-enabled interactive programmable device, wherein theformatted parallel audiovisual experience instructions are configured toprovide a downstream parallel experience related to content on thetelevision; provide instructions for virtual buttons on a touch screendisplay associated with the proximate wireless-enabled interactiveprogrammable device, the virtual buttons being associated with theproximate wireless-enabled interactive programmable device; receive andprocess virtual remote control functionality input instructions from theproximate wireless-enabled interactive programmable device; evaluate thefunctionality input instructions to assign a meaning; generate a commandsignal; and send the command signal to the electronic door lockingapparatus.
 7. The set-top box as recited in claim 6, wherein the commandsignal relates to causing the electronic door locking apparatus tounlock the door.
 8. The set-top box as recited in claim 6, wherein thecommand signal relates to causing the electronic door locking apparatusto alternate the do not disturb status.
 9. The set-top box as recited inclaim 1, wherein the processor-executable instructions further compriseinstructions that, when executed, cause the processor to: receive andprocess server control functionality input instructions from a remoteserver; evaluate the functionality input instructions to assign ameaning; generate a command signal; and send the command signal to theelectronic door locking apparatus.
 10. The set-top box as recited inclaim 9, wherein the command signal relates to re-programming theelectronic door locking apparatus.
 11. The set-top box as recited inclaim 1, wherein the processor-executable instructions further compriseinstructions that, when executed, cause the processor to: receive andprocess keycard data from the electronic door locking apparatus;evaluate the keycard data to determine access rights; generate a commandsignal relative to the access rights; and send the command signal to theelectronic door locking apparatus.
 12. The set-top box as recited inclaim 1, wherein the display further comprises a device selected fromthe group consisting of electronic visual display devices andtelevisions.
 13. The set-top box as recited in claim 1, wherein thehousing further comprises a housing-dongle combination securing thetelevision input, the television output, the processor, the memory, thestorage, and the wireless transceiver therewith.
 14. The set-top box asrecited in claim 14, wherein the processor and the memory aredistributed through the housing-dongle combination.
 15. The set-top boxas recited in claim 1, wherein the wireless transceiver is configured tocommunicate with the electronic door locking apparatus via a standardselected from the group consisting of infrared (IR), 802.11, 3G, 4G,Edge, Wi-Fi, ZigBee, near field communications (NFC), Bluetooth, andBluetooth low energy.
 16. The set-top box as recited in claim 1, whereinthe wireless transceiver is configured to communicate with theelectronic door locking apparatus via a short distance data exchangestandard.
 17. A set-top box comprising: a housing securing a televisioninput, a television output, a processor, memory, and storage therein; abusing architecture communicatively interconnecting the televisioninput, the television output, the processor, the memory, and thestorage; a wireless transceiver associated with the housing and coupledto the busing architecture, the wireless transceiver operable tocommunicate with a proximate wireless-enabled interactive programmabledevice; the television input configured to receive a source signal froman external source; the television output configured to forward a fullytuned signal to a display; and the memory accessible to the processor,the memory including processor-executable instructions that, whenexecuted, cause the processor to: pair with an electronic door lockingapparatus coupled to a door, the electronic door locking apparatus beingroom-collocated with the set-top box, receive a status signal from theelectronic door locking apparatus, the status signal being relative to alocked/unlocked status of the door, send the status signal to a remoteserver, specify a search operation to identify the proximatewireless-enabled interactive programmable device, wherein the searchoperation utilizes the wireless transceiver to wirelessly identify theproximate wireless-enabled interactive programmable device, establish apairing between the proximate wireless-enabled interactive programmabledevice and the set-top box, receive and process virtual remote controlfunctionality input instructions from the proximate wireless-enabledinteractive programmable device, and evaluate the functionality inputinstructions to assign a meaning, generate a command signal, and sendthe command signal to the electronic door locking apparatus.
 18. Theset-top box as recited in claim 17, wherein the command signal relatesto causing the electronic door locking apparatus to unlock the door. 19.The set-top box as recited in claim 17, wherein the command signalrelates to causing the electronic door locking apparatus to alternate ado not disturb status.
 20. A set-top box comprising: a housing securinga television input, a television output, a processor, memory, andstorage therein; a busing architecture communicatively interconnectingthe television input, the television output, the processor, the memory,and the storage; a wireless transceiver associated with the housing andcoupled to the busing architecture, the wireless transceiver operable tocommunicate with a proximate wireless-enabled interactive programmabledevice; the television input configured to receive a source signal froman external source; the television output configured to forward a fullytuned signal to a display; and the memory accessible to the processor,the memory including processor-executable instructions that, whenexecuted, cause the processor to: pair with an electronic door lockingapparatus coupled to a door, the electronic door locking apparatus beingroom-collocated with the set-top box, receive a status signal from theelectronic door locking apparatus, the status signal being relative to alocked/unlocked status of the door, send the status signal to a remoteserver, specify a search operation to identify the proximatewireless-enabled interactive programmable device, wherein the searchoperation utilizes the wireless transceiver to wirelessly identify theproximate wireless-enabled interactive programmable device, establish apairing between the proximate wireless-enabled interactive programmabledevice and the set-top box, send formatted parallel audiovisualexperience instructions to the proximate wireless-enabled interactiveprogrammable device, wherein the formatted parallel audiovisualexperience instructions are configured to provide a downstream parallelexperience related to content on the television, provide instructionsfor virtual buttons on a touch screen display associated with theproximate wireless-enabled interactive programmable device, the virtualbuttons being associated with the proximate wireless-enabled interactiveprogrammable device, receive and process virtual remote controlfunctionality input instructions from the proximate wireless-enabledinteractive programmable device, evaluate the virtual remote controlfunctionality input instructions to assign a meaning, generate a commandsignal, and send the command signal to the electronic door lockingapparatus.